Method and means for producing knitted fabrics



Dec. 16, 1941. c T 7 2,266,513

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dec. 17, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 E na-i. Elia.

INVENTOR:

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I Dec. 16, 1941. v M, RICHTER 2,266,513 METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dec. 17. 1937 12 Sheefls-Sheet 2 7 :F-L E-i- E. a: 12: I?

INVENTOR,

Dec. 16, 1941; M, HCHTER 2,266,513

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dec. 17, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 11v VENTOR.

Dec. 16,1941. M. RICHTER 2 2 1 METHOD AND MEANS- FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dec. 17, 1937 E .1. E- ll- 1 162 12 Sheets- Sheet 4 I 7 \m \wwp w a I INVENTOR:

Dec. 16, 1941. M. RICHTER 2,266,513 I METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dec. 17, 1937 7 l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 N VENTOR.

ATTO Dec. 16, 1941.

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dec. 17, I937 12 Sheets-Sheet s a I l U- 1 ea 1% i i M 0252 7 2 11? [Z 1.9.9 I 4 I I g6 90 a 1 17 I I j flj 1 A v J5 156 7 K 50 INVENTOR;

Q 85 BY M. RICHTER 1 2,266,513 I METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dc. 17, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENfOR: imragzakzg ATT N151".

A Dec. 16, 1-941. M. RICHTER 2,266,513

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dc. 17, 1937 l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 1N VEN T OR."

Dec. 16, 1 941. I

- METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS v M. RlZHTER 2,266,513

Filed Dec; 17, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Dec. 16, 1941. M. m sn 2,266,513

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING KNITTED FABRICS Filed Dec. 17, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet ll 11v VEN'TOR."

z m I ATTNEK Dec. 1-6, 1941.

M. RICHTER I 2,266,513

METHOD AND mums FOR PRODUCING KNITTED mamas Filed De c. 17, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 11x: VEIVTOR:

Patented Dec. 16, 1941 UNI- D STATES PATEEFI?'110.1151?ICEv KNITTED FABRICS.

Max Richter, -Wes't Reading, iPa, assignor Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa, aporuration of'fennsylvania Appiica'tion December 17, 1937, Scria;l No. 180,388

1-9 Claims. (Cl. 66- -1489 Myfinvention relates to novel methods of,.and means, for working knitted fabrics, and particularly to .a method of and means for performing intermediatestepsinthe production of anarticle orLb-lank formed on a plurality of machines, as in manipulating. a combined leg and foot blank produced on one machine for the reception of a heel pocket produced onanother machine.

In the production of knitted fabrics, such as .full fashioned stockings, having Pocket portions, as in the stocking heels, it has been usual to knit fabric areas, such as stocking leg blanks, on one machine, with heel tabs or the like, and to complots the formation .of the entireareas or stocking blanks on another machine. By such meth-- 'od, even though yarn and needles are employed in the two machines as nearly alike as they can he produced and arranged, differences in the shade or the two knitted area-s appear, whereby a line occurs across the instep of a full fashioned stocking, and other features of disadvantage are incurred. I

To avoid. these d-isadvaantges, it has heretofore been suggested to knit an entire fabric or -.bl-ank on one machine, in which instance, certain momplications and delays occur that are of suchcharacter and cost as to have heretofore suggested the knitting of the entire fabrics except the pockets, on onemachine, and to top and sewthe pockets in place. The latter method requires and handled, and hasother disadvantages which have avoided a completely satisfactory solution of the problem.-

According to the method "hereof, a unit machine, which is not of itself a part of this :invention, produces a blank complete with ah leg and foot portions, except the heel pocket elements or tabs. This blank has, at each selvage edge, in the heel, region, parallel course portions disposed in walewise register, -.and spaced from each other by a severing area of oneior more rows of :lcops. By severing this area, the mock-etless combined leg and 'foot blank :can be folded about a walewise axis, at the inner end of each severed area to place the abovementioned parallel course :portions associated 'with :each edge in coursewise alignment on the loop-manipulating implements of a heeler machine, whereby to of the tab for interknitting therewith,

By reason of the fact'tha't, in certain instances, it is desirable to reduce each of the above mentioned severing areas to substantially aminimum, and because of the smallness of the loops, and the delicacy of the fabric, there are certain operations, such as cutting the severing area loops, the folding of the main blank about the walewise axes as'above indicated, and the towing of the aligned courseportions onto the loop-manipulatingimplements, which :have not heretofore been readily effected in commercial manner; it not being. commercial, according to the prevailing standards infabrics offcer'tain price classes, to perform either Lor'both'of. the .fold'ingland topping operations by hand. The severing operations at opposite selvages of the main blank portion have also been eifected by hand, and have been thus .eifected one at a time.

In topping any knittedlarea, produced on one knitting machine, onto the loop manipulating implements of a separate knitting machine for "tions of the separate knitting machines, the-fintermediate device therefore, although sepa rate from the knitting machinespalso being adapted for definite cooperation witheach, as the latter are adapted .tor cooperation with each other, such that, in a complete knitting'operation or method, which requirm the separate knitting machines, the intermediate device is part of the means, land performs steps of the method.

Among the objects of the invention hereof are to avoid disadvantages of each .of the abovementioned prior methods, and to improve the same and the fabrics produced thereby. Another object of the invention .is to provide novel means for practicing the improved method, in the form of mechanism for performing operations intermediate the operations of the knitting machines. I

Another object .of the invention -is .to provide a novel topping machine, as for operation in the above-mentioned method and combination vhereof, that is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and eflective in its operation. I y H Another object of the invention is to provide a idfivice, operative in the production of knitted fabrics, in which a yarn loop-manipulating implement has novel means intermediate the ends of its shank portion .ifor individually affecting .movemen-tof a yarn .loop thereon in one ,or both directions oppositely along the shank pornovel means for cutting a knitted fabric, such as cutting it simultaneously at a plurality of places, to shield the cutting means, to provide various adjustments and safety features, to facilitate topping parallel course portions by having the head ends of receiving implement groups in offset planes normal to the longitudinal axes of the implements, to position these groups and the implements thereof in alignment with each other, to transfer loops from the implements to a transfer bar, in one form, while "the heads of the groups are in offset planes, and, in another form, while the heads of the groups are in coincident planes normal thereto, to provide means for moving the groups into the coincident planes, and to provide other features and advantages.

By the invention, a fabric area is knitted on one machine to have walewise offset course portions which are topped onto yarn loop-manipulating implements carried by separate bar sections, these sections are moved equivalently to turning them vone'hundred and eighty degrees relative to each other about an axis at adjacent ends thereof, to place the previously walewise offset course portions in line with each other,

oneof the thus aligned course portions is transferred from its implements on the corresponding bar section to needles of another knitting machine, the other formerly aligned course portion is transferred to yarn loop-manipulating imple ments in line with the needles of the latter knitting machine, further loops are knitted to the course portion on'the needles, and loops of the other course portion are transferred to, and interknitted with, certain loops of the further knitted loops during the knitting of the latter. I The means, for accomplishing the above-described purpose, comprises, in general, a machine for knitting all of a blank, except the pocket element or elements, a topping machine includ- .ing novel mechanical features of the invention hereof, and a machine for knitting the pocket elements to the blank; the knitting machines being of types heretofore suggested, and not altered for the purposes thereof as parts of this in-- vention. g

The topping machine comprises a base including journal bearing means for transfer bar supporting means, transfer bar supporting means journaled by the bearing means including portions for readily removably receiving a transfer bar, knockover bit mechanism including operating means providing for the transfer of yarn loops from loop-manipulating implements of the topping machine to loop-manipulating implements of the transfer bar, supporting means on the base for the machine loop-manipulating implements stationarily supported by the supportingmeans thereof on the base in positions corresponding to positions of end sections of the transfer bar when the latter is positioned by its supporting means, and groups of the machine implements each mounted, on the supporting means thereof on the base, for movement between a position in which the group is disposed in adjacent ofiset parallel plane relation to one of the end sections, and a position in which the group is disposed in alignment with the latter end section.

In particular, the thus generally-described means for practicing the above-disclosed method, includes, in the topping machine, various elements for completing the indicated construction of the latter machine and, means such as a plunger knife device, for severing yarn between the parallel course portions, and simultaneously severing yarn between like portions associated therewith, means for shielding the severing means, safety elements for preventing certain actions at certain times, to avoid injury to the operator, and damage to the machine and fabrics, means for preventing undue wear of certain elements, and other features.

- With these and other objects in View, which will become apparent from the following detailed description. of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings,

the heel tabs, as produced on a single machine, and from which, after the tabs are provided in accordance with the invention, the stocking of Fig. 1 is produced;

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to a lower portion of Fig. 2, showing the heel tabs as formed in the final blank from which the stocking of Fig. 1 is directly produced;

Fig. 4 is a view, in front elevation, of a topping machine, or mechanism operative in the production of the knitted fabrics, constituting one example of means constructed in accordance with, and adapted for executing certain steps of the invention Fig. 5 is a view, partially in section and partially inelevation, taken substantially along a line 5-5 of Fig. '7, showing certain eccentric shaft and bearing members, and other elements,

of a knockover bit feature of the mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a view, partially in section and partially in elevation, taken substantially along a line 66 of Fig. 7, showing another shaft, its bearings and correlated parts;

Fig. 7 is a view, in side or end elevation, of the device of Fig. 4, as viewed from the left of the latter figure;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional View of a portion of the machine, members being in elevation and portions broken away taken substantially along the line 88 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of certain structure, as viewed in the direction of Fig. 8, certain portions being broken away;

Fig. 10 is a view, similar to the upper portion of Fig. '7, showing the elements in a certain safety position Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the machine of Figs. 4 and 7;

Fig. 12 is a view, partially in section and partially'in elevation, taken substantially along the line l2l2 of Fig. 10, showing certain elements for supporting loop-manipulating implement '1-3 is a view, similar "to Fig. 12, showing elemerits forsupportingthepoirit groups in posit'ion at-another'stageoi operationj Fig. 14 is a detail-sectional view, partially "in elevation, taken substantially along the line 14-14 of-Fig. 4, portions having been removed;

Fig. 15 is a view, similar to an upper portion of H, with the elements shown :in different positions;

Fig. 15 is :a -view, partially in plan and partially in section,- of the mechanism or Fig. 4, :as viewed thedirection of the arrow oiE'ig. 15, the par-ts being in the positions of Fig. :15; and portions being broken away;

Eig. l lisia view, similar toannpper portion of -ZFig. -'1, cross sectionally of the machine, certain elements being in dlffieren't positions, and others omitted;

Fig. 18 is a view, in end elevation, similar to all ex'c'ept the feet or base legs :of Fig. T7,, with the elements :in still further different positions;

Fig. 19 is a view, taken :sribstan'tially along the line :l:9l=9 of Fig. 17 showing the above-mentioned Hoop-manipulating point sgro ps, :andad- .j'acent elements in certain positions;

Fig. 2D is a view, takensubstantially along the line 20-20 of Fig. 18, showing the members of Fig.1'9in difierent positions,and other elements;

Fig. 21 is :a detail sectional view, partially elevation, taken substantially along the line 2-|=--2'l of Fig. 19.;

' Fig. 22 is :a' view, similar to Fig. .21, taken sub- .stantially along the line 22- -22 of Fig. 20, showing the elements in different relative .positions;r

' Fig. .23 :is an enlarged perspective view .of the above-mentioned loop-manipulating implement group structure, with the elements positioned as :at 'one :stage :of operation;

Fig. .24 is a View, similar to Ilfig.123, with the plements thereof; 7

Fig. 29 is a view, similar to Fig. 28, further 'm-;

dicating a knife element in position after having severed a course portion of the :fabric between groupsof the implements; r

Fig. 30; is .a View, partially in section and partially-in elevation, of a lower structure of Fig. 28,.

indicating a transfer bar implement in position about to :receive a fabric portion; j

Fig. 31 is a view, similar toFig. 3.0, indicating a portion *of the transfer bar, and the transfer b'ar implement with the fabric thereon;

Fig. 32 is 'a magnified yarn .loop diagram .of a knitted fabric in relation to certain implements of the other figures, showing the severed course portion of Fig. 29;

:Figs. 33, 34, 35 and 36 are enlarged --d;ia-g-rammatic perspective views of :certainneedles, trans- -fer points, and other Hoop-manipulating implements, and loops, showing successive steps of operation in the production of the fabric, as during the production of the heel tabs of 3;

King, Pennsylvania, and in the 3 7 is .a view, partially in top plan and partiallyiin section, certain parts being omitted "and .others broken away, of a modified form aolf toppmgsniaichine constructed in accordance with the invention, the view being somewhat like Fig. 11, but having corresponding parts in .difierent-poslit-ions; I

Fig. 3B is a cross sectional detail view, taken substantially along the line 38-88 of 357, corresponding :som'ewhat tov Fi 21;

Fig. .39 isa fragmentary perspective view :sh'o'wing certain topping hardcore-manipulating implements :of :difienent lengths of the machine of Fig. 3'1, :in operative relation tozpoiilts/Df artrla'nsfer bar; and

Figs, 40, Al and 42 are end. elevational views, similar tohFig. :28, :of corresponding elements :of the modified form of the invention, :a's'wiewed from the left of Fig. 37., showing :certainparts as positioned-at different stages :of operation.

- In'thedrawings and description, the topping machine iss'howniin full, but, as to the kn'rtting machines; :only those parts necessary 'to a complete understanding of the invention have been set forth further information ;as to the construction and operation of other elements not :here'in specifically pointed out, but' which are usual and well known, and shown in the pamphlet entitled Tu-ll Fashioned Knitting Mafchinesficopyright 1920 in the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting Machine Catalogues, copyright,1:929-v and 1-935, published by-the Textile Machine Works, Readring, Pennsylvania, a pamphlet entitled? Knit- .ti-ng Machine Lectures, published in 1935,, :by the Wyom-issing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissabove-mentioned 'copending application.-

, Faibrzfcs produced Referring to Fig. -1, one example of the application -.of .the method is in producing a full ,tash- N Outline =01 the method ln prodncin'gthe ar tidle =01 stocking 'of Fig. l,

. the blank cor Fig. '2 "is first produced ion a unit machine, and comprises 'the welt portion W, the leg portion M narrowed .at a knee area I2, and at a lower leg area 14, the upper reinforced heel portions and the reinforced sole portions R .associatedwtth opposite selvagescf the blank,

t5, and a'rravel area A6.

Between the areas H and at 'each side of the blank, are formed loose course portions ll'l a'nd l8 in walewise register, the course portion 18 of which may have a greater-number of loops than the portion 11, and between whichis formed a severing :courseior area 4-9.

By severing the course portions H), to separate the portions TH :and B, by folding '(see Fig. 25) the :blank about an instep course or line -.J, and again folding the .--blank about a walewise line adiacen't :to the ainner #end of each area, the course portions, [*8 are displaced from the init-ial wzalewise register thereof with the course portions .1 1,, as in Ei gs.-2 :and 22a, :an'd the-course portions li and 4'8 placed Yin alignment with each other -(see vFig. :26) .in difierennceursewise poolthe diamond point toe portion 'T, 'a loose course tions for topping, through the intermediary of a novel topping machine hereinafter particularly pointed out, onto needle-like implements of another knitting machine for continuing the production of the article. 1

The latter produces heel tabs E, as shown in Fig. 3 and as further hereinafter set forth relative to Figs. 33 to 36, inclusive, havinga given .number of course portions knitted from the The loops of the loose course.

course portions 11. portions 18 which, in the example given, are of larger number than the course portions of the tabs, are transferred, and interknitted, to selected loops of the inside selvage edges of the tabs, and distributed substantially throughout the length of the latter, although they may be of the same number transferred to each inner selvage edge loop of the tabs, or the tabs may have additional courses after the last transferred loops of the course portions [3. Also, the tabs E, in the example given, are narrowed in selected 'courses, fewer than the total number of course portions in the tabs, disposed in predetermined positions along the tabs, although, in this instance also, the number, kind and positions of the narrowings may be variously selected.

As indicated in Fig. 3, short loose course portions 22 and ravel areas 23 are formed at the ends of the tabs E for looping and stitching the course portions 22 to each other, as shown in Fig. l, in a series of loopings 24 extending along the line of a usual back seam for a short distance,

'as indicated by a bracket, from the upper end of the reinforced sole portion R, for a short distance along the pocket. A short back seam 21 is formed, between the selvages of the sole portion R, from the usual loopings of the toe portion T, to the lower end of the heel pocket P, coincident with the lower end of the loopings 24, and a long back seam 28 is formed, from the upper end of the loopings 2 4, to the top of the stocking;

the long seam 28 thereby being formed, for a short distance 29, between the outside edges of the heel pocket portions at opposite selvages of the blank.

Topping machine Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 7 and 11, a topping machine of one exemplary form included in the invention, comprises, in general, a base or frame F, a topping bar structure A, a knockover bit mechanism B, a transfer bar support C,

- and a yarn severing device K.

The frame The frame F, constructed of suitable material,

suchv as cast iron, comprises right and left stands 32 and 33, respectively, having base legs 34, and jointed by transverse web-like rear and underside portions 31 and 38, respectively (Fig. 8), which are joined by end webs 39.

Topping bar structure The topping bar structure A (see Figs. 8, 11 to 1'7, and 19' to 24) comprises a bar secured to an upwardly and forwardly sloping extension tions, of needle-likeloop-manipulating topping 'point implements 49 and 56, respectively, which are held in place by clamps 52; the short topping bar sections 41 and 48 corresponding to, and being for opposite parallel register with the loopmanipulating implements or points of a transfer bar, as will appear.

Ahinge bracket 53, fixed to the extension 43, has hinge pin journals 54 for hinge pins 51 of hinges 58 which carry, in fixed relation thereto, short bar sections 62 and 63, of needle bed character, associated with the above-mentioned short bar sections 41 and 48, respectively. The bar sections 62 and 63, support groups of needle-like loop-manipulating topping point implements '64 and 65, respectively, which are held in position by clamps 61. Each implement of the groups 49, 50, 64 and B5, is provided with a groove 68 (Figs.

30 and 31) for cooperation with a transfer point,

as will hereinafter appear.

In the positions of the elements of Figs. 4, '7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 23, 28 and 29, in which the implement groups 64 and 55 are disposed above the groups 49 and 50, respectively, the head ends of the implements of the lower groups 49 and 50 are offset forwardly, in a plane normal to the longitudinal axes of the implements, from the corresponding plane of the head ends of the implements of the groups 64 and 65, respectively, this arrangement greatly facilitating topping on rows of loops adjacent to each other in one fabric, such as the loose course portions I! and I8 at each selvage of the blank of Fig. 2, by first topping on one row and then the other. With the rows thus topped on, they are next separated, by severing loops between the course portions 11 and I3 at each selvage edge of the blank, as will appear, such that the bar sections 62 and 63 can be pivoted about the axes of the hinge pins 51, from the positions of Fig. 23, and the other above-mentioned figures, to the positions of Fig. 19. As better seen in Fig. 16, the implements of the groups 54 and 65 lie in positions vertically above the spaces between the implements of the groups 49 and 50, respectively. When the groups 64 and B5 are moved on their hinges one hundred and eighty degrees, to the positions of Fig. 19, the next adjacent implements of the groups 49 and 64 are spaced apart by a one needle distance, as are also the next adjacent implements of the groups 50 and 65.

In this form of the invention, the implement groups, as positioned in Fig. 23, having the above-mentioned offset head end relation, retain this relation when the groups 64 and 65 are moved one hundred and eighty degrees, to the position of Fig. 19.

Means, for moving the groups 34 and 65 from the positions of Fig. 19 to the positions thereof in Figs. 20 and 24 comprises cams 12, on a shaft 13 at the rear of the frame F, oppose the action of the cams 12, so that the bracket 53, and its associated implement groups, are moved forwardly by the cams, and rearwardly by the springs. Thus, when the transfer bar support C, which is fixed: to the shaft- 13,. is brought forward: from its upper rear inactive position toitslower forward. active position, as willzappear, the groups. 64 and 65- are: cammed forwardly to; place the head ends topping bar sections; 62: and 63,. as wi leppear'.

Knoeicover bit mechanism The knockover bit mechanism 13' (Figs. ito 11,

inclusive, 1'7 and 18) comprises a lower swing frame 92 extending across the front of the ma,-

chine (Fig. 4) having depending end bearing portions 93 journaled on trunnions 94 which aresup-e ported in portions 91 of the frame F and have heads 98 at. the outer sides; of the right and left stands 32 and 33 Upwardly projectingend portions 99, spaced further apart than the lower end bearing por tions 93, carry a shaft I HZhavingend portions oi one diameter, and an. intermediate portion IE4 at larger diameter andlolfset radially'fromlthe axis of, the end portions: of the-shaft, thereby lheing eccentric thereto.

An upper swing frame I01 has depending end bearin portions I98 journaled on the eccentric shaft portion Hi4- and held'inposition longitudinally of the shaft by collars. I09 secured. tofthe portion [04 by set screws. Thev frame 561 has anupper portion, [I2 constituting abed for knock over' bits. H3 that are held in position-onw the bed III by aolamp U43. Secured. to'theshaft {'92, at the right-hand end. thereof, as viewed from the, front in Fig. 4, is a; positioningfcollar I IJTsecured to the shaft by a. set, screw, and, atflthe leftehand end of the shaft. I102 ,.a leverl l 9.is fixed to the shaft. The lever H9 carries a fixed m I221 pivotally connected to one'end of a link I213, the other end of, which i pivotally connected, by a. pin I24, toalever I21 thatis fixed to the shaft 13 (Fig. 6) which, when the transfer bar support,

means C is. moved to active position, as. will appear, operates. through the lever I21; the link I23 the lever H9, and the shaftIZZ and its. eccentric portion I04, tomove the knockover bits. iii upwardly, from the position of Fig. 17 to the posie tion of Fig. 18.

The upper swingv frame N31. has downwardly swing frame. By operating. the screw l 312,.the i knockover bits. H3 may be adjusted relative to of the. lower swing frame 92, as by screws I 39, ex-

the loop-manipulating. implements.

A. handle I38, secured to. the inner, or're'ar, side tends rearwardly and upwardly therefrom. By pulling the. upper part of this handle forwardly,

the knockover bits are operated to transfer loops from the topping bar loop-manipulating implements. to; transfer bar loop-manipulating implements, as: will further appear.

I42: and I43 on the rear web 31. of the frame F.

Transfer bar support The. transfer bar support (Figs. '4, '1, 8 1,0, 11 and comprises brackets. or lever. arms l4?! An adjustable contacttscrew IEO, in-aboss MI. oi the handle I138. operates. between upper. and lower, stop portions.

fixed, togthe' shaft- 1;3jat opposite ends, of. the ma chine,;the; arms; 12:51: bein duplicates, and each,

comprising a freeeendychannel portion MB having; an; insert; element M311 therein. Th e ment I52... the insert may be; adjus ed; in a ddirection toename theisulmo t C toaccurat lyreceive-a.

transfer bar D. which is showniinfi r. -1-5 As shown in the latter.- gura. the b r' D mp ise tWQ'ba TKSi F53; and. I54, between which are held.

trnneter points L5,? having curved ends-l 5-1. The,

bar Ii5+,,being; longerthamthe ba -r I 54; and con,-

tered longitudinally relative to,- the latter, theree,

brahasrroiec e: en s h h re apted; to

bereceived,intoithe channel portions I48 over-the insert elements; I 49,. When the ends I58are thus,-

placeda-ends l -59;'of the. bar I54are then inline with,v and. t n-a e i t ele ts.

whereby with; the latter elements; properly adjustect loy: the serews- L52, asaboveset forth, to

closely alout the ends I 59, the transfer point 1,545;

- willb ately aligned with the loop-manip ul-ating implements of the groups 4.9-, 64; and

t5 otthe toppingmachine. I

;With the bracket arms I41. in the upper or inoperative positions, as shown in Figs-4 and Lend the bar sections 62- and 53. over the topping bar I sections 41 and 48, respectively, asshown-v in- Fig. 11,, the arms. M1 may not be entirely lowered to. operative positions, by reason of an engagement that willz take place between bosses I62, on the time, which would move the knockover bit ups, .wardly to positions between the topping bar im plements. whereby a attemptto move the implement gronps 6.4, and seem, th positions of Fig.

(to. the position ofFig. l9 would damage the knockdver bits and. implements. i

With. the bracketarms. [4.1; which are fixed.

of of Fig. 2e, iii-engagement therewith, to prevent any attempt to raise thesections 62 and 63., or tum them; about-the hinge pins 51-, be-

cause, at this time, the knockover bits project above the. implements of: the groups 49, 50, 64 and 65, whereby such attempt would tend to. damage. both the. implements and, the bitsasso: ciated: with, thebar; sections 62 and I53.-

Thelowen positionsof the arms 2 M1 a red -e termincd by engagement of bosses I63 onthe arms, and. adjustable contaot, screws -64 in pro.-

jectionsf 115,1 on the frame F; the upper. position being limited by the stop pin 11. and the ex-.'

tension 18: (Figs. 21 and 22 as hereinbefore set forth,

Yarwseoering device The yarn severing. device K, (Figs. 4, 7, 8,11, 15,, 16. and 18) comprises brackets I12 journaled" on theshaft 13, adjacent tothe ends thereof,

respectively," for turning movement relative thereto, and for rigidly supporting studs having heads I14. Plungers I11'are longitudi' nally slidably mounted on the studs I13, and" against the associated. plunger [:11 at the otherend. Brackets I19, on the plungers I11, support a bridge or bar I82, extending between the plungers, on which are supported knives I83 having sloping cutting edges adapted to cut yarn in the severing areas I8, to sever the yarn in each, as indicated in Fig. 32. A handle I84 and a safety stop I81'are mounted on the bar I82.

The brackets 18 have arms I89 on which are mounted guard means I92 including an end shield element I93 and an apron I94. The end shield element I93 protects the operator against injury to his hands by contact with the knives. The apron I94 shields the edges of the knives in inoperative position and also such that, if while in inoperative position, the plungers I11 should be depressed until the bar I82 engages the top of the arm I89, the edges of the knives will still be above the bottom of the apron I94.

The safety stop I81 is provided to prevent inadvertent operation of the knives when the transfer bar is in operative position on the machine, or the brackets I41 are in position to receive the transfer bar in such position. Insuch case, should the severing device be brought forwardly and an attempt made to depress the plungers, the stop I81 will engage the top end of the right hand bracket I41 to prevent any damaging motion of the knives toward the knockover bits which, at such time, are in upper position.

In the forward, or operative position of the yarn-severing device (Fig. 15), screws I91, carried by the brackets I12, engage lugs I98 on the stationary bracket 16. Also, when the device is moved to this position, elements I99 on the brackets I12 assume positions behind, and against, the hinges 58 to brace the same against forces which may be imposed thereon by the severing action.

With the parts properly in operative position,

as indicated in Figs. 15 and 16, when the handle I84 is thrust toward the rear of the machine, the

severing action is effected, and the severing Heel tab producing means After the blank has been formed without the heel tabs on the first above-mentioned machine, and topped onto the above-described topping machine by means of the transfer bar D, it is transferred from the latter machine to a machine for producing the heel tabs. The heel tab machine includes, as indicated diagrammatically in Figs. 33 to 36, inclusive, standard needles L and special needle-like loop-manipulating implements S. The loop-manipulating implements L and S are all supported on one needle bar 205 (Fig. 27), as are the needles in a usual straight or full fashioned knitting machine. The heeler machine further includes usual transfer points Y associated with the implements S, and has narrowing points (not shown) for narrowing in the heel tabsin a usual manner.

The standard needles L have beards 201 of usual length, herein referred to as long beards by reason of their relation to beards 208 on the implements S which are shorter than the standard needle beards 201.

Operation With the short needle bar sections 41, 48, 62 and 63, and the other parts of the topping machine, positioned as in Figs. 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 23, 25, 28 and 29, the blank of Fig. 2 is topped onto the implements of the topping machine, as

indicated in Figs. 25 and 32, to place the needle I1 at opposite course portions. I1 a little in advance of the reception by the groups 64 and B5 of the sinker and divider loops of course portions I8, whereby to facilitate the topping operation, by not requiring the topper to handle the course portions I1 and I8 at the same time. With the loops of the course portion I1 started over the ends of the implements of the groups 49 and 59, it is then easier to similarly start the loops of the course portions I8 over the ends of the implements of the groups 54 and 65. After this operation has been effected, both sets of course portions I1 and I8, and the adjacent fabric, are

pressed further inwardly along the implements to a position against the knockover bits II3, as indicated in Fig. 28.

With the blank thus topped, the topper grasps the handle I84 to pivot the severing device K about the axis of the shaft 13, from the position of Fig. 7 to the position of Fig. 15, in the latter of which the handle I84 is given a thrust movement to move the plungers I11 and the knives I83 against the action of the springs I18 to a position indicated in Fig. 29. This action causes the knives I83 to progressively sever the severing area course portions I9 from near the inner ends thereof outwardly through the selvage edge. With the fabric thus severed, and the severing device K returned to its position of Fig. 7, the short bar sections 62 and 63 may be pivoted about the axis of the hinge pins 51 to move the implement groups 64 and 65 and other parts from the positions of Fig. 4, 11, 12, 23, 25 and 28 to the positions of Figs. 19 and 26, whereupon the transfer bar supporting brackets I41 are pivoted for wardly about the axis of the shaft 13 from the positions of Figs. 4, '1 and 8, to the positions of Figs. 18 and 20, wherein the transfer bar D is positioned, as indicated in Figs. 20 and 24, relative to the implement groups 49, 50, 64 and 65. During the forward movement of the transfer bar brackets I41, since the latter are fixed to the shaft 13 to which the cams 12 are also fixed, the latter act against the hinge bracket 53 to move the implement groups 64 and 65 from the positions of Fig. 19, in which the ends of the implements are in oifset relation to the ends of the implements of the groups 49 and 59 in planes normal to the axes of the implements, to the posi- V tions of Fig. 20, in which all the point ends of all the implements are in one such plane. Also, during the above-mentioned movement, the dog 85 is moved to position over the topping bar sections 62 and 63 to hold the same rigid relative to each other against accidental movement about the hinge pivots thereof. I

Further, during the movement of the transferbar supporting brackets I41, the shaft 13 operates the lever I21, the link I23 and the lever II9 to turn the shaft I02 whereby the eccentric 'intermediate portion I04 thereof raises the knockover bits H3, as from the position. of Figs. 28.

as viewed in Fig. 8, whereupon the loops are egos-agate.

the implements: of. the. groups; 49,-, 50,. 6.4 and- 65.;

In the next step of the method, yarn. is laid;

to each: group of the long beardt needles, and. in.-.

terknitted thereby to. the course portion IT: to. form a course portion M; as indicated in Fig. 335 but, since no-yar-n isto the associatedishort: beard implement group, the loops of the-course portion IE will be moiled out ofcoursewise alignment with-the. course portion I I, and intosuch alignment: with the new: course portion. M9 as indicated in Figs;- 33 to-'36=, inclusive, ready for pick up by the points Y thereabove to complete the first transfer; In Fig; 34;, the points Y have descended intothe loops of the course portion I 8,

closing the short beardsof the i-mplement- S;

after whichtheloops are picked upfrom the implements S and transferred a onc -needle distance. and dropped ontothe implements'lt, as indicated' in Fig. 35. As indicated in Fig. 36, the

first: transfer has been completed and: the points have been raised to position forrepetition of the cycle, afterthe. laying of a subsequent course portion-or portionsto-the-needles'L.

- The operation, after theabove-described initial steps, may be varied astowhich courses of loops formed on the long beard needle groups shallbenarrowed', and to which coursestheloops onthe short beard implements shall be transferred. However, in: the-examplegivem thenext transfer takes place-after the knitting of one 'or two courses, and the ratio maintainedof' approximately two transfers in everythreecour'ses tothe end of the heel'tabs.

'I-henarrowings do not begin, inthe example given, until afte'rabout hal'f ofeachheel tab-has been knitted; when ten narrowings are inserted in the remaining;forty five-courses such-that the first five n'ar'r-owings are insertedin every fifth course and the next five-narrowings are inserted inevery'fou-rthcourse, or" theoperation is effected ina similararrangement to the end oi the heelta-bs.

At. the ends offi the: abcve-described operations, the blankgis completed-with the heel tabs E in place, as shown in Fig. 3 after which the loose course portions 22 are looped to each other to form; thel'oopings. 24, and the usual loopings are effected at the toe end of the blank, and the back scams 2'! and 28 formed, the seam 21 from the toe loopings to the lower end of the heel pocket P, and the seam 28 from the upper end of the loopings 24 to the top of the stocking.

Modification In the modification of the topping machine of the invention illustrated in Figs. 37 to 42, inelusive, in which corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference characters, with the subscript a, the construction and operation are similar to that above set forth, with the exception that, instead of moving the implement groups 64a and. 65a forward from the position of Fig. 37, corresponding to Fig. 19, to a position corresponding to that of Fig. 20 in which the ends of the implements are all placed in line in the first-described form of the topping machine, the implements are allowed to remain in the positions of Fig. 37 for transfer of the loops to the transfer points 156a.

In the first-described form of topping machine,

are of the same: overall lengths, whereaspimthe modified form, the implements of the. groups 6.4a and; 65a .a re'of shorter overall lengths; than the implements ofJthe groups demand 50a.

' The modified construction eliminatesthe cams. 12, the movable hinge. bracket 53,. and. other elements; butis otherwise similar to the first'l-d'e' scribed topping machine. Fig. 38 shows a Sta.-

; tionary hinge bracket v21 l: fixed to.an extension 43a of the" rear. web ofthe. machine frame. in. its relation to a bar. 42a; a. clamp 52a and .azstae tionary' bed; section. 48a; for holding the implements of the; group 50a.

.As better-shown in Fig. 40; an. adjustable-stop screw and: nut device. 212" is provided in the bed; section 48a whereby the pivotally. mounted: im.-- plements 65a can be placjed in accurate parallel. relation to the stationary implements. Stu. The.

;screw bears against a steeliinsert Z'MiinLth'e hinge- 5811. to avoid: mutilation. of: the latter and misalignmentof. the implements. y

Fig. 39 indicates. how the:1transfen bars. I580. cooperate simultaneously: with the: long impl'e ments. 58a. and; the short-implements; 65a for tr-ansferof theloops by thGLkDOCkQVGIZ bits- 1 11311,. as in. connection with Figs. 30' and; 31 of the: firstedescribed topping machine. v

In; the positions. thereof in Figs. .40, 41 and 42;

a portion of the elongated shank/off eachs'hort.

implement 65.1; has an upwardly projectingxel'ement 2gl;5, of: certain sizeand position; .therec'n,-. and: a sma ler upwardly-"projecting. element its;

at a; position forwardly of; the element: H25; these; elements having; adjacent surfaces. or. shoulders; perpendicular to; thes implement; 6.5a; facing .each'. other, and farthermost: outer" longitudinat side surfaces sloping gradually fronnthe; tops of the.

elements 2;! d and; 24 5: aiway fronrsaidi perpendid- I uian surfaces .rearwardly and: forwardly; respective1y-',. and. merging. intothe n adj acent. top: longittudinal surface of the implement. 2

Each. long implementfiflmhas. downwardly. prejecting similar. large. and small elements. 2=.l:.|:. and;2;|;81"respectively; 1

When. the: blankupontions: R l-Ha. are; first toppedl ont'o the 'implem'ents 56a. and a, with.

thesevering course; Ifiw therebetween, as shown: inEig; 40, thc'fabric passes fireely. over the small;

element's M6 and 2 l8 ,:-and engages: the'near; shoulders or'f'acesof t'he larger elements lm and. 241 which act as'stopslimiting the: inward move ment of the fabric toward the knock-over bits ll3a.

As indicated in Fig. 41, the large elements H5 and 2|! again act as stops, preventing inward movement of the fabric on the elements 50a and 6511, when the knife I830. is thrust against the fabric, thus bracing the fabric against the severing action of the knife preventing yield of the fabric against the cutting thrust movement, and conducing to a clean cutting action.

As indicated in Fig. 42, upon withdrawal of the knife [83% any tendency of the fabric to cling to the knife sides for withdrawal movement with the knife is stopped by the small elements 2I6 and 2l8 which offer enough resistance to withdrawal of the fabric by the knife, but do not oppose to any appreciable extent other withdrawal movement of the fabric, as by the knockover bits ll3a to the transfer points l56a.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described by which I obtain the above results, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a device operative in the production of knitted fabrics, a yarn loop-manipulating implement including an elongated shank portion embodying a pair of elements spaced along the shank portion from each other intermediate the ends of the shank portion for engaging a loop and affecting movement thereof along the shank portion in opposite directions, each of said elements constituting a side projection on the shank portion having a surface substantially perpendicular to the shank portion facing along the shank portion toward the corresponding face of the other of said projections, and the outer longitudinal surface of at least one of said projections merging gradually along the shank portion away from said faces into the longitudinal side of the shank portion.

2. In a device operative in the production of knitted fabrics, a plurality of groups of yarn loop-manipulating implements, means for supporting said groups in parallel-plane relation to each other, and means moving generally lengthwise of said implements for severing yarn between said groups in said relation of the groups, said implements having means thereon for bracing afabric against the severing action of said severing means.

3. In a device operative in the production of knitted fabrics, a plurality of groups of yarn loop-manipulating implements, means for supporting said groups in parallel-plane relation to each other, and means moving generally lengthwise of said implements for severing yarn between said groups in said relation of the groups, said implements having means thereon for preventing withdrawal movement of a fabric thereon by the withdrawal movement of said severing means but providing for other withdrawal movement of the fabric from the implements.

4. In a device operative in the production of knitted fabrics, a plurality of groups of yarn loopmanipulating implements, means for supporting said groups in parallel-plane relation to each other, and means moving generally lengthwise of said implements for severing yarn between said groups in said relation of the groups, said implements having means thereon for bracing a fabric against the severing action of said severing means, preventing withdrawal movement of a fabric thereon by the withdrawal movement of said severing means, and providing for other withdrawal movement of the fabric from the implements.

5. A topping stand having point carrying sections adapted to be moved into either parallel or aligned positions, but members mounted to push loops lengthwise of the points and also to move between the points and out of the between position, and means for preventing the relative movement of said sections when said bit members are between the points.

6. A topping stand having point carrying sections adapted to be swung from a parallel to an aligned position, bit members mounted to push loops lengthwise of the points and also to move between the points and out of the between position, and means to prevent moving said bit members to the between position while said sections are in the parallel position.

7. A topping stand having point carrying sections adapted to be moved into either parallel or aligned positions, bit members mounted to push loops lengthwise of the points and also tomove between the points and out of the between position, a means for supporting a transfer bar, said means mounted to swing forward of the stand and back, and means for pushing said bit members into the between position operated upon the forward movement of said bar supporting means.

8. A topping stand having point carrying sections adapted to be moved into-either parallel or aligned positions, means for supporting a transfer bar arranged to swing forwardly and rearwardly of the stand, one of said sections having a mounting whereby it tends to hold its points rearwardly of those of another section, and means operated when said bar supporting means is swung forwardly to bring all the points to a uniform position for transferring purposes.

9. A topp n stand having point carrying sections adapted to be moved into either parallel or aligned positions, a knife adapted to cut fabric held on said sections when the are in parallel position, means for supporting a transfer bar and mounted to swing forwardly and rearwardly of the stand, and means preventing the opera tion, of said knife when said bar supporting means is in its forward position,

MAX RICHTER. 

